Course Content:

There are 6 modules (600 hours ) as outlined below:

You must successfully complete an assignment for each lesson in each of these modules; and sit and pass a closed book exam at conclusion of each of the six modules.  Exams may be sat anywhere in the world and your tuition fee includes ADL’s examination fees.

MODULES  (Learning Goals):     Diploma in Alternative Education VGN002

1.  Classroom Delivery Skills BWR006

• Explain the role of communication between individuals in optimising the benefit of education.
• Describe and use strategies to improve listening in order to correctly understand what another person is communicating to you.
• Explain motivation as a factor in the teaching-learning situation and in the cultivation of an inquisitive approach to learning.
• Select and cultivate motivational factors appropriate to particular classroom situations.
• Describe practical techniques which can be used by an educator to motivate their students.
• Describe practical techniques that can be used by an educator for managing their own stress, and also assisting students in stress management.
• Identify, analyse and devise methods for dealing with conflict in an education setting.
• Explain how to apply practical techniques to facilitate mediation in conflict situations in an educational setting.       

2.  Course Writing BGN107

• Determine an appropriate basis for developing a course to suit a given need.
• Write course documentation and materials methodically and with clarity.
• Explain differences between levels of study, particularly in post secondary education.
• Write curriculum documentation for a course.
• Identify and evaluate sources for course materials and support services for a course.
• To plan and create a variety of course materials to support learning
• Establish procedures for reviewing and updating established course materials.
• Compare relative values of formal course endorsement systems.
• Plan the implementation of a developed course.

3.  Delivering Distance Learning Education BGN108

• Identify differences between various modes of distance education and other forms of education.
• Determine appropriate methods for communicating with, and motivating action from, new distance education students.
• Provide effective support services to students undertaking distance education studies.
• Explain the ways that teachers and students can work together by using effective listening skills, problem solving techniques, empathy and other interactive strategies to maintain effective and meaningful relationships in the learning process.
• Manage physical and human resources within a distance education program to achieve appropriate benefit for cost expended.
• Conduct effective assessment of distance education students.
• Conduct effective administration of distance education students.
• Improve students? and teachers? ability to communicate effectively in a distance education environment.
• Provide support for graduates upon or following completion of a distance education course.

4.  Educational Psychology BPS105

• Identify differences between various modes of distance education and other forms of education.
• Determine appropriate methods for communicating with, and motivating action from, new distance education students.
• Provide effective support services to students undertaking distance education studies.
• Explain the ways that teachers and students can work together by using effective listening skills, problem solving techniques, empathy and other interactive strategies to maintain effective and meaningful relationships in the learning process.
• Manage physical and human resources within a distance education program to achieve appropriate benefit for cost expended.
• Conduct effective assessment of distance education students.
• Conduct effective administration of distance education students.
• Improve students? and teachers? ability to communicate effectively in a distance education environment.
• Provide support for graduates upon or following completion of a distance education course.

5.  Developmental Psychology BPS210

• Explain the nature, scope and impact of developmental problems in children and adolescents.
• Explain autism, including its diagnosis, and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners.
• Explain Aspergers disorder, including its diagnosis and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners
• Explain a range of pervasive developmental disorders, including their diagnosis and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners
• Explain a range of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorders, including diagnosis and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners
• Explain conduct disorders, including its diagnosis and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners
• Explain a range of learning disorders, including their diagnosis and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners
• Explain a range of communication disorders, including their diagnosis and appropriate responses that may be made by family, friends, teachers, carers and practitioners
• Create and present a plan of support for a child with a specific condition.

6. Industry Project BIP000

• The completion of an Industry Project or Work Experience are necessary components to complete in order to satisfy our qualification requirement. There are two options available to you to satisfy this requirement:
  

  
  Alternative 1.
  

  If you work in the industry that you have been studying; you may submit a reference from your employer, in an effort to satisfy this industry (ie. workplace project) requirement; on the basis of RPL (ie. recognition for prior learning), achieved through your current and past work experience.

  The reference must indicate that you have skills and an awareness of your industry, which is sufficient for you to work in a position of responsibility.

  Alternative 2.

  If you do not work in the relevant industry, you need to undertake a project as follows:

  Procedure for a Workplace Project

  This project is a major part of the course involving the number of hours relevant to the course (see above). Although the course does not contain mandatory work requirements, work experience is seen as highly desirable.

  This project is based on applications in the work place and specifically aims to provide the student with the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge developed through various areas of formal study.

  You will design this project in consultation with your tutor to involve industry based activities in the area of specialised study which you select to follow in the course.

  The project outcomes may take the form of a written report, folio, visuals or a mixture of forms. If you have relevant, current or past work experience, you will be given exemption from this project if you can provide suitable references from employers that show you have already fulfilled the requirements of this project.

  You will be assessed on how well you achieve the goals and outcomes you originally set as part of your negotiations with your tutor. You will present three short progress reports.

  These progress reports will be taken into account when evaluating the final submission. The tutor must be satisfied that the work that you submit is original.

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Please see lesson titles for your learning goals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.